THE FIVE STAR BEARS
A TRUE STORY
That Will Show You the Darkness of Canada's Crimes against Earth.
In a remote Canadian valley, a wildlife artist and her husband find themselves entangled in a struggle for survival when forest fires drive fifteen bears down from the mountains, seeking refuge near the artist's home. The mere sight of them ignites suspicion among residents of the nearby religious community that has long labelled the artist a ‘witch.’ Seizing upon the bears' presence as a concrete reason to attack, the community unleashes a reign of terror upon the couple, driven by an orgy of self-righteousness and blame.
Displaying an authoritarian mindset, members of the community reject the facts surrounding the bears' arrival, rallying around a hunting lobbyist who insists that the animals must be killed.
The story delves into the destructive power of these attitudes, exposing how religious fundamentalism and prejudice fuels aggression towards those seen as ‘different’--anyone can be designated a 'witch' and suddenly deserving of terrible treatment.
Through desperate efforts to save the bears in the face of overwhelming opposition, this book offers an intimate look at the daunting cost of the misunderstanding of both nature and those who defend it. Each bear, presented as an individual with a painted portrait, embodies the right to a life—a testament to the bond between humans and wildlife, denied by those in a dark-minded community bent on violence.
This book reveals why bears, and all wildlife fleeing forest fires in Canada are in peril. With a powerful blend of personal narrative and advocacy, it calls for a new approach to coexistence, one in which hunting is phased out in favour of respect and protection for the animals who share our special planet.
Reviews
Few books possess the ability to blend the rawness of human emotion, the beauty of nature, and the piercing edge of social critique as deftly as *The Five Star Bears*. Set against the breathtaking yet volatile backdrop of Sunshine Valley, BC, Canada, this drama, rooted in a harrowing true story, is both a profound indictment of intolerance and a stirring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.
A Heart-Wrenching Drama of Injustice
At its core, this book is a searing narrative of courage and cruelty. The artist and her husband, caught in a maelstrom of hostility, become the target of a community gripped by fear and blinded by prejudice. The story's villains—the residents of Sunshine Valley and their hunting-lobby accomplices—are chilling in their self-righteousness. Their actions, fuelled by ignorance and a disdain for both nature and individuality, cast a dark shadow over the beauty of the valley and the nobility of the animals. The shame they bring upon themselves and their community is palpable, underscoring the destructive power of mob mentality and narrow-minded beliefs.
A Literary Triumph
The writing in The Five Star Bears is nothing short of sublime. With meticulous attention to detail and a command of language that elevates every sentence to art, the author paints vivid images of the valley and the creatures within it. The prose flows with the urgency of the story while pausing at times to reflect, allowing the reader to savour the depth of emotion and meaning embedded in every scene.
Art That Speaks to the Soul
One of the most striking elements of this book is the inclusion of original painted bear portraits. These breathtaking artworks bring the animals to life, each with a distinct personality and soul. They are not merely illustrations but integral to the book’s message: a reminder of the individuality and intrinsic worth of every living being. The portraits serve as a poignant counterpoint to the brutality the bears face, making their plight all the more heart-wrenching.
A Brave Act of Advocacy
To write Five Star Bears is, in itself, an act of remarkable courage—a beacon of light piercing through the shadow of darkness that has engulfed this blighted land. The author confronts the perpetrators of the tragedy with unflinching honesty, refusing to shy away from exposing their actions. In doing so, this book stands as both a memorial to the bears and a rallying cry for change. It challenges us to reconsider our relationship with nature and to reject the fear and hatred that so often dictate human behaviour.
A Call for Coexistence
The Five Star Bears is more than a story—it is a plea for a better future. It urges us to embrace coexistence, to protect the wildlife that shares our planet, and to recognize the devastating consequences of hunting and environmental neglect. The book’s message is urgent, its implications far-reaching, and its emotional impact unforgettable.
The Five Star Bears is a masterpiece that deserves a place on every bookshelf. It is a testament to the power of art, the necessity of compassion, and the courage it takes to stand against injustice. Whether you are drawn to it for its stunning prose, its evocative illustrations, or its vital message, this book will leave an indelible mark on your heart.
Dr. Franck Porcher
I was completely captivated by this book from the first page to the last. The story masterfully combines emotion and advocacy, shedding light on a critical issue while weaving an unforgettable narrative.
The way the author brings the bears to life, each with their own unique identity, is remarkable. I could feel the urgency in the couple’s fight to protect these majestic creatures, and the parallels drawn between the bears' plight and the destructive power of human prejudice were eye-opening. The religious community's reaction felt disturbingly real, reflecting the dangers of ignorance and intolerance.
This book isn’t just about bears—it’s about survival, compassion, and the lengths we go to in order to protect what we love. The vivid descriptions of the Canadian wilderness were breathtaking, and the underlying message about coexistence was both timely and deeply moving.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about wildlife, nature, or simply enjoys a gripping story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. My only regret is that I can’t give it more than five stars!
Dr. Romain Porcher
France
We should all know what's going on behind the scenes with our wild life. This book gives a incredible insight into the way our government handles wild life situations. This book gives you all you need to know in a well written, inspiring way.
Roberta Krentz
Canada
Evelyn Abell
Canada
A well composed compelling read...well documented and insightful, highlighting a truly tragic story. It includes some absolutely stunning, wonderfully charming characters, highlighted by visual bear portrayals.
Sylvia Edmundson
Canada
Having just read Ila's book I can only say that it seems to me to be essential reading for anyone who cares about our wildlife, and not only bears. The situation in Canada is devastating.
The Five Star Bears is a unique account of the trials and dangers one can get into when trying to defend wildlife. I had very similar problems in the UK when trying to save Badgers from government persecution. Here we have refugee bears fleeing forest fires, and instead of being protected and cherished as the magnificent animals they are, received nothing but fear, hatred and violence from the local people and government agencies. In trying to defend them Ila and her husband, Franck, were targetted, and like ourselves in Cornwall were forced eventually to flee.
The campaign against the couple is heart-breaking to read. But the gentle beauty of the bears is heart-warming and proves that with kindness and compassion there really aren't 'dangerous' wild animals. These are harmless gentle giants deserving of respect for sharing our planet. Countless examples of their actions show them to be calm and reasonable animals.
Unfortunately, this story proves that it is easy to persuade somebody of something they want to believe. Ila has much to say about the stupidity of religious authoritarian followers: those who prefer the certainty of limited minds as opposed to science.
This is an important book which should be read by all who doubt the wisdom of the wild. I give The Five Star Bears and Ila and Franck five stars.
Dr Richard M. Meyer
Scotland
Illustrations
Elmer
I painted a portrait of each of the eighteen bears mentioned in the story. Fifteen of these arrived in our valley when forest fires drove them from their ranges. The other three were bears who had passed through during the seven years in which we lived there. The first is Elmer, the spectacular male bear in whose territory we lived.
One of the themes of the book is the deep eye contact that develops when one meets a bear's eyes. We often experienced it with Elmer. It has now been scientifically established that the mutual mesmerization that happens sometimes between individuals during such deep eye-contact is the result of the synchronization of their brain waves. If this can happen with bears, it proves not only that they are conscious, but that they are our brothers and sisters.
This female bear passed through just one time. She was extremely round with her pregnancy. She raised herself, as seen in the painting, to investigate my bird feeder, but she neither licked at the seeds, nor tried to pull it down. Then she wandered on into the forest and I never saw her again. She was distinctive because of the patch of white on her breast.
Though I was accused of attracting dangerous animals because I put out some seed for the sparrows, of all eighteen bears who passed, only two showed any interest in the millet I put out for birds.
Another theme of the book is showing through repeated, first hand accounts, that the hunting lobby's propaganda about bears being dangerous is utter nonsense. It has been broadcast for decades to keep the public out of the forest so that no one will either witness nor interfere with the sadistic pleasures of recreational hunters. Thus, Canada's anti-environmental practices continue with almost no public outcry nor protest.
Alabama
Alabama was the third bear who passed through our property during the seven years we lived there. She behaved as if she had been fed by people--we heard that campers at the nearby Sunshine Valley RV resort regularly fed bears. She passed through many times, interacted with Elmer, and often approached us. At night she would cry, alone in the forest, as if she were in terrible pain.
Bailey
Bailey was the first of the fire refugees to arrive. He wandered in while we were preparing to evacuate--a fifth forest fire had begun, this one just to the west of us, and the winds were blowing it closer.
Bears are doubly endangered when they are fleeing from forest fires, for they have lost their territories, their food, and their hibernation spaces, and are often forced into human view as they search for safety. That was what happened to the fire refugees who arrived in Sunshine Valley that year. The dark minded residents, dominated by hunters and religious fundamentalists, had no concern for their predicament as conscious creatures seeking safety. They just wanted them killed.
Bard
Bard was Bailey's brother. We first saw him several days after Bailey's first appearance. Once at dawn I saw him and Bailey playing together in the property next door. It had been cleared and offered some berries and other food for the bears, so they often grazed there like horses. But when Bailey went wandering through the neighbourhood in public view, Bard did not. He was afraid, and waited for him beneath the forests' skirts, sitting like a little Buddha, toes turned up.
Fortunately, we were the only full time residents at that end of the valley. But when the weekenders came, it was not long before they saw the bears.
Elmeretta
Elmeretta looked so much like Elmer that I mistook her for him a number of times. She was the third forest fire refugee who arrived in our area. When I encountered her in the forest she was always ready to hiss and stamp her feet. Elmeretta was a fierce bear!
Buttercup
We first saw Buttercup gazing out at a holiday weekend in progress, the day after we learned how serious the community was about killing all bears who were sighted.
Fortunately, that time, she turned around and went back into the forest. But she had likely been hoping to have a drink at the lake she could see just across the way, glittering through the trees. So eventually she returned.
Thunderbird
Thunderbird was an older male, a most spectacular bear! He actually appeared on the mountainside above while I was trying to get Elmeretta, Bard, and Bailey out of view of the road, on a day when a Conservation officer was coming to 'kill the bears'. He raised himself on his hind legs to look, moving his nose in an arc while he sniffed.
I named him Thunderbird after the great spirit of fire and lightning, who comes to warn of danger.
Romulus
Romulus was younger. He was a reddish brown colour, with beautiful face. Luckily, he only stayed in the area for two or three days.
Rose
Rose was another large brown bear very much like Elmeretta. It was hard to tell them apart from a distance. But close-up, their faces were very different.
Bree
Bree was the eighth bear fire refugee who arrived in our area in the late summer of that fateful year. She was a small female bear, very curious, and a delight to see. She had deep scars down both sides of her face.
Hurricane
Hurricane was the ninth bear we sighted descending the mountain slope towards our valley. He was very black, his coat a lush velvet. Fortunately he left the area before being sighted by the killers below.
Marigold
Marigold was very like Buttercup and Bree, a smaller female bear, of brownish colour. She appeared from time during a period of several weeks, as if on a circuit it took her days to complete. Finally she disappeared, hopefully because she had found the ripening berries in the alpine meadows above.
Blaze
Blaze was another large male bear. We often saw him high above during a period of about ten days, but he was frightened and would not come near.
Tornado
Tornado was a large black male bear. We first saw him closely following Elmeretta down the mountainside. At one point she turned and snapped at him but this did not seem to bother him at all. It was startling how fast she could suddenly move! I had very little to go on to do his portrait, which is why it is less detailed than the others. But I feel that I caught his expression anyway. I only saw him twice and black bears don't photograph well in a dark forest.
Brambles
Brambles was a young black bear, who suddenly arrived in October. By then the fire refugees were likely seeking hibernation spaces in a strange land. . .
Stormy
Stormy was another mature male bear who appeared coming down the mountain slope just one time. He had many scars on his face and I wondered how far he had been wandering since being driven from his territory.
Midnight was the fifteenth bear who appeared at our end of the valley having lost her territory and familiar food sources and hibernation space to fire. In the previous few years, I had only seen three different bears pass through the region.
So for fifteen to arrive reveals the extent of the tragedy suffered by the wildlife caught between the vast burning regions and the valley full of killers where their quest to find safety brought them.
Midnight
